What readers are saying

Published
6:30 am CST, Wednesday, December 6, 2006

"The Butterfly and the Knife" was accompanied by a blog written by four high school students. That began a spirited conversation with Houston Chronicle readers, who were free with e-mail and blog comments.

"I myself am from a gang-infested community, and it really is sad to hear these kinds of stories. I am now an educator, and I will be reading this article to my class and discussing making good decisions. Too many kids are carefree today, and reality doesn't seem to set in until someone is either dead or in jail."

KEAVON RUNNELS

"Like it or not, Gabriel was a death waiting to happen. ... what do you expect when you join a gang?"

SUSIE MOTT

"Too bad the Chronicle writers couldn't let the dead rest without attempting to dramatize the sad event in their pathetic story, The Butterfly and the Knife."

"Why is Ashley Benton sitting at home pictured smiling with her teddy bear? If it is known that she killed someone, shouldn't she at least be in jail? If she were Hispanic or black, they would have thrown away the key for a lesser charge."

NAME WITHHELD

"I have been alone my whole life, there has been nobody on my side to guide me through life, all I had was a cousin who was drunk most of the time. I could have joined a gang with this excuse but I didn't, why? Because I chose not to!!! I was able to get a career and it was not easy, I had to give up a lot of things that I wanted to do. I can say it was worth it. There is no excuse to do the wrong thing. I'm proof of that."

"This whole issue is a complicated one, but there are a few things that I have come to know in my own work with young people.

First, they want to belong. ... Second, judging them, or anybody for that matter, does not help. ... Third, you need to help them face the consequences of their actions. ... Fourth, and this is for adults. Don't take it personally. ...

There is no quick easy fix to this. It takes patience, understanding, commitment, respect, reaching out and love."

"I'm Daniel from Guatemala. It's funny how I came across this whole story. In Central America, gangs, or 'maras' as we call them, are an everyday thing.

Not particularly where I live, so I've never really been involved in the whole thing, but i think that even if Gabriel and Ashley had had strong authority figures, they still would've ended up where they did.

I've always thought that the way you are has absolutely nothing to do with how you're raised or your parents. ... It's in you since the day you're born.